Improvement in car-couplings



,J. RAMSEY, Jr

Oar-Coupling.

No. |9s,4|5

Patented Dec. 18, 1877.

?E "llllmmm WITNIISSSES v INVENTOR ATTORN EYS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH RAMSEY, JR, oF ANTEsToWN, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEIV! ENT IN CAR-COUPLINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 198,415, dated December 18, 1877; application filed May 29, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH RAMSEY, Jr., of Antestown, inthe county of Blair and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gar-Couplings; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this.

specification, and in which Figure 1 is a side view of my improved carcoupling. Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof, with the pin in side elevation and partly broken 011'; and Fig. 3 is a detached perspective view of the pin-supporting apron.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are denoted by like letters.

This invention relates to a certain improvement in car-couplings of that class having an apron for retaining the coupling-pin in an elevated position in readiness to fall into or enter the coupling-link as the latter strikes and knocks the apron from under and allows the pin to fall; and it consists in imparting a limited vertical movement to the apron, and in its adaptation to receive the point or lower end of and support the pin in an elevated position, substantially ashereinafter more fully set forth.

In the annexed drawings, A A refer to the draw-heads attached to the contiguousends of two cars, illustrating the application of my improvement. B B refer to two plates or aprons, pivoted or hung, one in each drawhead, in about a line with the apertures or holes through which the coupling-pins pass. The plates or aprons B B are provided each with arms I) b, extending to one side of or out of line with both the vertical and horizontal axes of said plates, to permit of the said arms reaching up external to the draw-heads to which they are pivoted, as presently described, and to cause the plate or apron to stand in a line with the apertures of the coupling-pins, and at the same time in a slightly-inclined position, its lower end pointing inwardly, to enable it to readily yield and swing back without resistance when struck by the coupling-link. These arms are provided with elongated slots 0 0, through which pass pivots c c, entering the draw-head, to hang or pivot the aprons or plates B B thereto, and allow them to have a limited vertical movement, by which that plate resting upon that end of the link being uncoupled will Wedge itself in place as it swings forward from off the withdrawing link, and thus relieve its pivots or axes of strain or pressure, and also prevent the said plate or apron being jarred from its position. In the upper end of each of the plates or aprons is a recess or concavity, d, to receive the lower or tapering end of the elevated coupling-pin.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-- 1. In acar-coupling,the suspended or swinging plate or apron B, having its upper end provided, at a point below and about equidistant between its suspending-arms, with a concavity or recess, d, to receive and hold the coupling-pin in position when elevated, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a ear-coupling, the pivoted plate or apron B, provided with arms b b, having a limited vertical movement, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I hereunto aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH RAMSEY, JR.

Witnesses:

J AJVLES H. LANGE, J. WM. MISTER. 

